Empower Your Future with Robotics
Join Saint Dominic’s Robotics and use STEM to make real world impact!
Why join?
Make a Real-World Impact – Apply STEM skills to solve challenges with direct relevance to global issues, from clean energy to robotics for good.
Develop the IB Learner Profile – Become an inquirer, communicator, thinker, and principled risk-taker through authentic challenges.
Skills for Life – Gain engineering, coding, leadership, and communication skills valued by top universities and future careers.
Strengthen the Community – Share your passion, mentor younger students, and showcase SDR as a hub of innovation within the school and beyond.
From Classroom to Competition
At Saint Dominic’s Robotics students in Grades 9 to 12 build cutting-edge robots and compete internationally at the VEX and FIRST Robotics competitions, fostering teamwork and innovation. Be among the First Portuguse based IB Students teams to Compete Internationally
150+
Countries
3900+
Teams
100000+
Students
Use robotics for real-world impact!
Robotics is more than just a game — it’s a way to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. Every season, competitions like FRC and VEX V5 introduce game-based missions inspired by urgent global issues such as these:
Climate Change & Sustainability – Robots simulate renewable energy solutions, carbon capture, or sustainable agriculture.
Water Safety & Clean Access – Missions highlight purification, safe distribution, and efficient use of water resources.
Energy Equity – Teams innovate around renewable power systems and energy distribution.
Ocean Preservation – Tasks reflect conservation, marine robotics, and protecting ecosystems.
Through these challenges, SDR students learn by doing, applying science and engineering to issues that matter for the planet. The experience transforms robotics into more than competition—it becomes a training ground for future changemakers who can engineer a better tomorrow.
Diverse and Inclusive by Design
Building a world-class robot takes more than just engineering. Every student brings unique strengths, and every skill has a place on the team. From builders, to coders, to creatives, to storytellers — SDR has a role for everyone. Together, these diverse skills form one united team ready to compete on the global stage.
Design & Engineering – CAD modeling, mechanical design, electronics, and prototyping.
Programming – Coding in Python, VEXcode, or C++, plus AI, sensors, and autonomous control.
Project Management – Planning, budgeting, deadlines, and keeping the build season on track.
Media & Branding – Designing logos, producing videos, managing social media, and telling our story.
Outreach & Presentation – Leading workshops, mentoring younger students, public speaking, and representing SDR to sponsors and judges.
Strategy & Scouting – Analyzing matches, planning game tactics, and optimizing team performance.
FIRST (FRC): 41% of participants are female or gender-diverse
VEX Robotics: Active in 70+ countries across all continents
Broad age group: Teams include students from 8–22 years old, with a clear progression pipeline (MS → HS → University).
Global inclusivity: Strong participation from Asia (China, Singapore, Japan), Europe (UK, Spain, Finland, Luxembourg), North & South America, and the Middle East.
Photo gallery
Check out some great moments in the life of a robotics team
